Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, author of The Little Prince, said that the beauty of the desert lies in the fact that it can hide a well anywhere. In Dubai, just 40 minutes from the hustle and bustle, the skyscrapers, and the artificiality of a showcase city of light and shadow, true luxury is found, like Saint-Exupéry's well, in the infinite silence of the desert and its golden dunes.
The Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve is the first national park in the United Arab Emirates. The land it occupies was purchased by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, who, inspired by the national parks of South Africa, decided that Dubai needed its own reserve. At 225 km², it covers approximately 5% of Dubai's total land area and is fenced off to preserve the area's natural flora and fauna. Since its creation in 2004, the reserve has been home to more than 50 plant species, 120 birds, 43 mammals, and reptiles.
One of the best ways to discover and explore the expanse of this desert is to take a 4x4 SUV safari aboard vintage Jeeps from the 1950s. Our guide, Majdid, drove through the dunes and explained that the golden color of the sand comes from a mixture of minerals such as iron and marble.
In the distance, we are surprised by the sight of a large herd of Arabian oryx, one of the largest desert mammals in the region. It has horns that reach 68 cm in length and a bright white coat that reflects the sun's rays. The age of each specimen is known by the color of its coat, which ranges from golden when they are young to white once they reach adulthood. From then on, it is the length of their horns that indicates the age of the animal.
The desert was originally inhabited by Bedouin tribes (Bedawi in Arabic), a group of semi-nomadic desert dwellers who traversed the dunes, guided by the sun to orient themselves to the east and the stars to go north. Camels were essential for their survival, as they used them as a means of transportation, food, and as a symbol of wealth. In addition, camel skin was used to make tents, footwear, and warm clothing, and its hair was used to weave carpets. Camel milk was used to make yogurt or butter, and camel meat was also served as a tasty snack.
The Bedouins are also known for their hospitable nature, something they demonstrated to us at the camp where we dined. We were welcomed with rose water to cleanse and purify our hands, and a first appetizer based on dates and an aromatic tea infused with cinnamon. We continue with a traditional dinner of hummus, lamb cooked in the traditional way under the ground, camel meat, milk, vegetables, and spiced long rice with nuts.
Hawking is another tradition deeply rooted in the history and traditions of the Bedouins.
The speed, power, and dexterity of a falcon were far greater than that of a bullet when hunting, so they came to make these birds a hunting tool to capture hares, birds, and other species.
Hawks are so valuable that they have their own passport and, when they travel, they do so by occupying a seat on the plane, next to their keeper.
After dinner, we rode through the dunes again, now under the stars, until we reached Al-Maha, a sustainable luxury resort located in the middle of the reserve, with traditional buildings, suites, and rooms decorated with antique furniture. This is the ideal starting point to immerse yourself in the nature, silence, and magic of the Dubai desert, where you can explore and discover it on horseback, camel, or 4x4 SUV.
